Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

We have stated time and time again that the Government will maintain a strategic interest in Aer Lingus. We have stated we will allow an equity injection which means a sale of a proportion of Aer Lingus. This will be decided following the consultant's advice in the area. The purpose of this is to prevent what happened in 1993 and some four or five years ago, when Aer Lingus nearly went down the tubes. Deputy Higgins must stop trying to close the national airline.

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